Kilt belt loops?

[revbook]

I was always taught that the kilt belt is NOT to go through the loops on the back of the kilt and that the loops were only meant to hold the sporran strap. As a matter of fact, if memory serves me correctly, this is stated in "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt! " by Charles J. Thompson. I do see others wearing their kilts using the loops to pass their belts through and wonder what the consensus of the forum is.

[Father Bill]

Hi there! I think you'll find that the majority will agree that you should ignore the loops with your belt (I do) and especially our kiltmakers who will tell you that over time, it will distort the shape of the kilt, but that there are a few around who do otherwise.

Let's see what kind of answers you get, and see if my "take" is right!

[sydnie7]

I think the key is "on a well-made/fitted kilt." The belt should be optional if the kilt is made to hug your body at the natural waist. Even then, some GoS (gentlemen of substance) find that a belt or braces/suspenders are required to keep the kilt where it's meant to be.

With an off-the-rack kilt that "kind of" fits, all bets are off and many belts are on!

[Psynister]

I've always seen and read that the belt loops are for sporran only. If they were meant for your belt, there would be more than just a couple in the back. I think if you were to wear the belt through the loops over time you'd likely end up either busting the loops from all the stress being on just the two, or you'd end up stretching the fabric in the back which I would assume would cause damage over time.

[rcc0023]

I never really thought about it that much. But it is good to know.

[creagdhubh]

None of my kilts have belt loops as I tend to think they're a bit superfluous. So, I wouldn't worry about it so much. Do what you prefer.

[kiltedjoss]

Some of my kilts don't have them. Some do and I ignore them. Don't need them. Don't use them. No.

[Carlo]

I could see a reason for them with a tank that wasn't made for you. The weight in the back might try to slip under the belt.

[MacMillans son]

For the most part, they are BELT loops NOT sporran loops. Whether you choose to use them or not is entirely up to you. I order them on my kilts for my BELT. I don't like having to adjust my belt during the day getting up and down from a chair or in and out of a car tends to make the belt, my belt at least, slide up and down on my kilt as it rubs against the back of the chair or car seat. Belt loops keep the belt mostly in place so as not to have to deal with that. I have had kilt makers who would not put them on a kilt except at gun point, and another kilt maker who would not leave them off without the same level of encouragement.

I know that someone has posted a photo of a kilt distorted around the belt loops before, I am not sure how that happened as a well fitting kilt is not held up by the belt but by the straps on the kilt. There should not be any weight on the belt loops to make them distort.

If you find them useful, then order your kilt with them on (actually, they will likely come on your kilt unless you specifically order them without), if not, feel free, as others have said, to not use them, take them off, or ask that they not be put on at all.

There is no wrong answer, just your preference.

[Tobus]

Plus one to what Brooke said. I use the belt loops on my kilt when I'm wearing a belt. Not to hold my kilt up, but to keep my belt in place. I much prefer that to cinching my belt overly tight to stay put. Without the loops, my belt is constantly riding up in the back when I bend over or sit down. The loops are sized for a kilt belt, not just a sporran strap, so that's what I use them for.